Lubricant aerosol generator



Feb. 23, 1960 F.J.EVERETT LUBRICANT AEROSOL GENERATOR Filed June 25, 1957 Asili d v l 2 Sheets-Sheet l /M/E/vra Fee@ frEee-rr Feb- 23, 1960 F. J. EVERETT 2,925,883

LUBRICANT AEROSOL GENERATOR Filed June 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /f/a. of

MEA/rae A frog/vir 'Ihis invention relates ator. l

The present invention is an improvement over the aerosol generator of the type shown in United States Patent 2,610,700, issued September 16, 1952, to Gothberg. The aerosol generator shown in the patent has gained wideto an improved aerosol generv spread commercial use because of its highly eflicient mist- .ing characteristics `and also because of the high quality aerosol produced by the unit.

It is an `object of the present invention to provide an even more eiiicient and improved aerosol generator.

Itis a further object of the invention to provide a more efcient aerosol generator which produces a high quality aerosol. Y v-f A feature'of the present invention is the provision Aof an annular oil delivery nozzle,an annular venturi surrounding the nozzle for the air stream of the aerosol generator and an expansion chamber immediately downstream from the venturi and the nozzle outlet.

Another feature of the present invention is the pro# vision of a spring-biased air bypass providing a substantially constant pressure drop between the air inlet and outlet passageways. f

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of' an improved, rugged and highly effective check valve permitting the filling of the generator with uid to be misted without interrupting the ow of air through the generator.

Other objects and features will be evident upon a perusual of the following description in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of the aerosol generator;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation view of the upper portion of the generator along line 2--2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation view of the generator along line 3-3 of Fig. l; and I Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation `view of the upper portion of the generator along 'line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

For purposes of the present application, it will be assumed that `a lubricating oil is being suspended in air to form oil mist aerosol. However, the scope of the applicationv is not to be limited thereby.

`In general, the generator comprises an upper head, a lower oil reservoir secured to the head, air inlet and outlet passageways in the head, an aerosol generating air passageway between the inlet and outlet chambers, an oil lift passageway extending from the oil reservoir' into the aerosol generating passageway and a spring-biased air bypass between the air inlet and outlet chambers.

More particularly, the generator includes a head 1 (Fig. 3) preferably formed from a zinc die casting. The upper portion of the head 1 is generally annular with a substantially square flange 2 being provided at its lower v end. A base 80 closes the upper end of the head.`

safes vPatfffflf 2,925,883 Patented Feb. `23, 1960v Cie an internal bore and counterbore matching the'upper peripheral surfacerand ange of the retaining element v3,*

and four bolts 6 secure the reservoir 3 to the head 1. A cylindrical disc 7 'separates an oil reservoir chamber' 8 ofthe oil reservoir 3 from'an aerosol chamber`9 in the flower portion of the head 1. A- pair of annularY gaskets 10 provide a seal between the head 1, the disc" 7 and the reservoir 3. The base `80 of the head 1 includes a downwardly pro jecting boss 81 deiniug an inlet passageway 11 (Fig. 2) anda generally coaxial outlet passageway- 12. `Aby-fl pass aperture 13 is provided between the passagewayslI and-12. A ball check 14 is seated on the downstream' edge of the aperture 13. A spring '15 held under con1 V pression between the ball check 14 and a retaining disc 16` screwed intothe outlet passageway 12 maintains the ball check 14 on its seat under a predetermined pressure.

l`he aperture 13 fand the spring-biased ball check 14 provideV a constant pressure drop between the inlet passageway 11 and the outlet passageway 12. Thus, with highery pressures at the inlet 11 there will be correspondingly higher pressures in the outlet 12. Consequently, the volume of air passed through the generator canbe increased merely by increasing the inlet pressure. e

4An aerosol generating passageway means 17 is con# nected in parallel with the bypass aperture 13. The pas#y sageway means 17 comprises a bore 18 anda counter` bore 19, transverse to the inlet passageway 11, the aerosol chamber 9, and an aperture 20 at the bottom of passage way 12. The-axis of the bore 18 andthe counterbore 19 are disposed'in a horizontal plane and are perendicu lar to the axis of the inlet passageway 11 as best shown" in Fig. 3.V Hence, it can be seenthat the bore 18` and the counterbore 19 connect the inlet passageway 11 di-` rectly to the aerosol chamber 9. j

The aperture 20is formed inthe lower portion of the outlet passageway 12 adjacent the latters connection with the inlet passageway 11 as best shown in Fig.,2. Thus, the aperture 20 connects the outlet 12 directly to the aerosol -charnber 9. Hence, it will be appreciated that incoming air` at the inlet passageway 11 ,(Fig'. 3) will flow through the counterbore 19 and the bore 18f into the aerosol chamber 9 and thence through the aperture' 20 (Fig. 2) into the outlet passageway 12.

Whenthe inlet pressure is suiciently high to unseat` the ball check 14 against the force of its spring 15, air will also flow from the inlet passageway 11 through theaperture 13 and into the outlet 12.

An oil lift `passageway means -21 (Fig. 4) is provided in lthe aerosol generator passageway means 17. The

passageway means 21 includes an oil lift tube 22 pressed into a Vertical bore 23 in the head land extending through the chamber 9 and an aperture 24 in the' disc 7 into the oil'reservoir chamber 8. An O-ring 25 4pro.V vides a seal between the chambers 8 and 9. Aretaine'r;

1 26 and a compression spring 27 hold the O-ring '25 in sealing` relation with the disc 7 and the'tube 22 A ball check 23 is disposed in `a counterbore 29 coaxial with a bore 23. The ball check 28 seats itself on the shoulder 30 under the force of gravity. The function of f the ball check 28 will be described later.

Immediately above the counterbore 29, the head 1 is provided with a vertical, generally annular boss 31. An elongated oil sight tube 32 is disposed within the boss 31 and extends upwardly therefrom. The oil sight tube.

" 32 is preferably made from a transparent plastic such` tion with the oil sight tube 32 to engage the uppersur-' vertical passageway 37.in the oil sight tube 32 is fluid conducting in relationship with vthe aperture 36 and the counterbore 29. A transverse passageway 38 is connected to the upper end of passageway 37. A generally vertical passageway 39` (Fig. 3) is connected to the'end of the passageway 38 opposite to itsconnection wit-h the `passageway 37. A vertical passageway 40 `and a generally lhorizontal passageway 41 in the head 1 interconnect the passageway 39 ofthe oil sight tube with apassageway 42 of an aerosol nozzle 43. The nozzle kpassageway 42 extends through the length of the nozzle 4 3 to the bore 18 in the aerosol producing passageway means 17. i

A filter 44 is provided at the lowerend of the oil lift tube .22.

The nozzle 4 3 is generally annular with aseries fof progressively necked down portions from its inlet to Aits outlet end. Similarly, the passageway 42 within the nozzle 43 is progressively smaller in a series of steps from itsinlet toits outlet end. The inlet end of the'nozzle 42 is pressed into a -bore 45 and a counterbore 46 in the head 1 transverse to the inlet passageway 111. The nozzle 43 extends through the passageway 11 adjacent the aperture 13 and into the bore 18 and the counterbore 19.V A threaded plug 71 closes the passageway 41 from atmosphere.

The outer periphery of the left-hand end (Fig. 3) of the nozzle 43 and the inner periphery of the right-hand endof the bore 18 form a short annular venturi 47 coaxial-with the loil passageway 4 2 of the nozzle 4 3.

Due to the restricted venturi 47 in the aerosol generator passageway means 17, only a relatively small part of the air passing through the aerosol generator will pass through theaerosol generator passageway means 17 during normal. high rates of air flow. The flow of air through the `aerosol passageway generating means 17 will be substantially constant for inlet pressures higher than rthat which causes the ball check 14 to unseat to bypass air around the passageway means 17.

The air owing from the venturi `47 into the bore 18y creates an extremely effective suction at the outlet end of the nozzle 43. As will be described below, the surface of lthe oil in the oil reservoir 3 is subjected ,to outlet pressure which is higher than the pressure at the outlet end of the nozzle 43 whereby oil is drawn by suction from the oil reservoir 3 intothe Abore, 18 where yit is misted with the air expanding from the venturi `47 into bore 18. With the concentric nozzle and venturi struc.- ture provided by the applicant, more eicient misting is effected. The inner wall surface of the head 1 facing thebore 18 acts as a bae means for condensing un-k desirable heavy globules from the aerosol.

means provided for iilling the reservoir without interruption of air flow through the generator will now be described.

The disc 7 has an aperture v48 (Fig. 4) normally connecting the aerosol chamber 9 and the oil reservoir .chamber 8. A bore 49 is-provided in the head 1 coaxial with the aperture 4S. At the upper end of ybore V49 is a threaded counterbore 50.

A generally annular sleeve 51 vis'reciprocably disposed within the bore 49 and projects through the aperture 48. An- O-ring 52 held in an annular groove -53 at the upper,l

end ofthe sleeve 51 provides a seal between/the sleeve 51 and the head1. The sleeve 51 is provided with a central ange 54 which engages the Ashoulder surface 55 of the head 1 to prevent the sleeve 51 from being forced thrtjnrghl the bore 49 and out of the head 1 under aerosol`v pressure. A spring 56 held under compression between the upper surface of the disc 7 and the lower surface of the flange 54 urges the sleeve upwardly.

A necked down portion 57 at the lower end of the sleeve 51 includes a valve means 58 `for closing the aperture 48 during filling of the oil reservoir 3. The valve means 58 comprises a shallow cup-shaped retainer 59 pressed on the necked down portion 57. O-ring 60 is disposed around the necked ydown portion 57 and is i held between the retainer 59 anda shoulder 61 at the upper end of the necked down vportion 57.

A generally 0-shaped lockqwasher.- 62 pressed linto a groove 63 in the necked down portion 57 holds the O-ring 60 `and the retainer 59 securely in place.

A yfiller plug 64 is threaded into the counter-bore 50. An O-ring 65 is held in an annular groove `66 at the lower end of the til-ler plug 64. The O-ring 65 provides the effective seal between the ller plug 64 and the head 1- f l In the closed position of the iller plug 64 as shown in Fig- 4, tho bottom Surface of; the plus 64 enga-sos a top surface of the sleeve 51 to force the sleeve 51 downwardly, opening the annulus of the aperture 48 surrounding the sleeve 5,1. When the plug 64 is removed, the spring 56 and aerosol pressure in the chamber 9 acting on the lower surface of the 'Harige .54 forgo the Sleeve 51 upwardly until the O-ring 60` engages the disc 7 to tightly seal the annulus of the'aperture48 surrounding the sleeve 51.

Withthe plug 64 removed, lubricant can be poured through the counterbore 50,` the bore 49, and an axial passageway 67 in the sleeve 51. into the oil reservoir chanr ber 8. When the chamber 8 is filled, the plug 64 `is replaced in the counterbore 50, thereby opening the an- Irulus ofthe aperture 48 surrounding the sleeve 51 to again subject the surface o f the o il to outlet pressure.

Itwillbe noted that, wheny the plug 64 is removed as described above toSeat the Q-,r-ing 60, the oil reservoir chamber 8 has outlet pressure therein. Consequently, as )the plug 64 is removedthis pressure is vented to atmosphere through the passageway 67, the bore 49 and the counterbore 50. However, this venting is prevented from .splattering oil in the area surrounding the ller plug 64 by the gradual protected venting construction. Morefspecically, the ller plug 64 (Fig. v4) has a necked do-wn lower portion 68 belowits threaded poroil or aerosol aroundfthefgenerator when the plug 64 is removed. f

yIt will be noted that, Subsequent to the venting of the oilreservoir chamber 8 as described above, the O-ring effectively prevents aerosolpressure from entering the chamber 8. The ball check 28 seats to prevent reverse flow ofraipor aerosol through the oil lift tube 22.

A vertical bore 72 (Fig. 3) and a threaded counter-l bQre 73 are providedA in the boss 31 adjacent the oil sight tube 32. A needle valve 74 forfadjustingthe oil iiow in the passageway means 21'is screwed into the counterbore 73.- The needle jvalve 74 seats on the upper edge of :the bore 72. When the valve 74 is turned to raiseV from the bore 72', aerosol from the chamber 9 is admitted into the passageway .41 in the oil passageway means -21k to reduce the vacuum therein. The more the vaciunn` is reduced, the slower the rate of oil Iflow.

While there has been described what is at present belved :to .bathe-preferred embodiments of the invention, it will' be understood that various modifications be made therein; and it is contemplated to cover in the appended claims all such modilcations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. An aerosol generating device of the type in which iiuid in a reservoir, subjected to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, is caused to ow into an aerosol generating passageway to be suspended in aerosol form in a lluid passing through the passageway, and in which means is provided for lilling the reservoir during operation of the device, wherein said means comprises an element separating the reservoir from a source of fluid pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, an aperture in the element normally interconnecting the source of uid pressure with the reservoir to subject the reservoir to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, a bore in the device generally coaxial with the aperture, a generally annular sleeve reciprocally disposed within the bore and extending through the aperture, and an O-ring secured to one end of the sleeve and engageable with the element for closing the aperture in one position of the sleeve, biasing means urging the sleeve to said one position, yand a removable filler plug in the bore engaging the sleeve in a closed position of the plug to move the sleeve to a second position unseating the O- ring from the element.

2. The combination claimed in claim l wherein a counterbore is provided immediately adjacent the bore with `a tapered shoulder connecting the bore and counterbore, and wherein the iller plug includes a threaded portion of one diameter for threading engagement with a complementary threaded inner periphery of the counterbore, a necked clown portion extending into the bore in the closed position of the plug, an annular groove in the necked down portion of the plug, and an O-ring disposed in the groove normally under compression between the surface of the groove and the adjacent periphery of the bore, said O-ring gradually breaking the seal between the plug and the device as the O-ring rides over the tapered shoulder upon removal of the plug, the lower surface of the threaded portion of the plug and the threaded periphery of the plug and counterbore dissipating the force of aerosol initially vented from the reservoir to atmosphere upon removal of the plug.

3. An aerosol generator comprising an inverted generally cup-shaped cast head portion and a generally cup-shaped reservoirsecuredin sealing relation to the bottom of the head portion, the interior of the head portion at least partially defining an aerosol chamber,` an internal boss projecting downwardly from the base of the head portion and defining substantially coaxial inlet and outlet passageways, passageway structure in the boss including a spring biased check valve connecting the inlet passageway directly to the outlet passageway, the boss defining a generally horizontal bore transverse to the inlet passageway and connecting the inlet passageway to the aerosol chamber, an elongated generally cylindrical nozzle carried by the boss with its outlet end projecting partially into the bore in close proximity to the inner periphery of the bore to form a generally annular venturi surrounding its outlet end, liquid passageway structure connecting the other end of the nozzle with the lower portion of the reservoir, the side wall of the head portion adjacent the bore providing a bafiie means for condensing undesirable heavy globules from the aerosol. v

4. The combination claimed in claim 3, wherein the boss defines a second bore coaxial with the first-mentioned bore and extending outwardly from the inlet passageway at a position diametrically opposite the rstmentioned bore, kthe second bore defining a liquid chamber in the liquid passageway, the liquid chamber receiving the other end of the nozzle in sealing relation, the boss defining a valve aperture connecting the liquid chamber with the higher pressure aerosol chamber, and an adjusting screw carried by the head pontion and projecting into the valve aperture for adjusting the valve aperture opening to control the rate of flow of liquid from the reservoir to the nozzle.

5. The combination claimed in claim 4 wherein the liquid passageway structure includes a transparent sight tube carried by the head portion, the tube deiining a passageway with a restricted portion followed by an enlarged portion vertically below the restricted portion to cause a liquid to iiow through the enlarged portion in droplet form whereby the rate of liquid flow may be observed.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,304,644 Heftler Dec. 8, 1942 2,511,016 Semon June 13, 1950 2,569,553 Brush Oct. 2, 1951 2,613,067 Goodyer Oct. 7, 1952 2,638,182 Boretti May 12, 1953 2,681,710 Streicker et al June 22, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 208,412 Great Britain Dec. 2o, 1923 

